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Butters Scotch said he was “bi-curious” and sent away to a pray-the-gay-away gay camp in an attempt to correct his “confusion” in a episode of “South Park.” The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld a California ban on e-gay conversion therapy for minors. (Photo courtesy of Comedy Central.)

WASHINGTON – A California law banning a controversial and wacko therapy aimed at converting gay and lesbian minors to heterosexual finally will be implemented.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a challenge to the law, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed in 2012 and prohibits therapists from performing sexual-orientation change counseling with children and teens under age 18.

Mel White, a renowned openly gay clergyman, says he regrets donating seed money to Exodus International, the “ex-gay” Christian ministry that claimed it could cure homosexuality with prayer and therapy based on Biblical passages. On Wednesday, Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International – whose work infuriated many gay-rights activists – apologized to the gay community, renouncing the controversial therapies, and announced the ministry would close.The methods also were rejected by mainstream associations representing psychiatrists and psychologists, who said the method caused depression, anxiety and suicide. Photo by Sean Hiller/Staff photographer

LONG BEACH – Mel White, the renowned openly gay clergyman, says he regrets donating seed money to Exodus International, the “ex-gay” Christian ministry that claimed it could cure homosexuality with prayer and therapy based on Biblical passages.

On Wednesday, Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International – whose work infuriated many gay-rights activists – apologized to the gay community, renouncing the controversial therapies, and announced the ministry would close.

The methods also were rejected by mainstream associations representing psychiatrists and psychologists, who said the method caused depression, anxiety and suicide.

The California State Senate last week approvedSenate Bill 1172, which would outlaw mental health providers from practicing methods to change the sexual orientation of LGBT teenagers.

The practice also is called “ex-gay,” “conversion,” “reparative” or “pray the gay away” therapy.

At its core, the menacing method is based on idea that if a gay person tries hard enough, he or she can pray the gay away.

The American Psychological Association, in 2007, said the practice is dangerous.

Last month, renowned psychologist Robert Spitzer – 11 years after proclaiming the method was sound – apologized to the gay community.

Last year, CNN examined the methods and reported on discredited psychologist George Rekers, a “pray the gay away” supporter. Rekers, however, was involved in another scandal last year when he was exposed for hiring a Rentboy.com escort to accompany him to Europe.

“Conversion” therapy also was lampooned on the “South Park” episode “Cartman Sucks.” Butters is sent to a “pray the gay away” camp after he tells his parents he’s “bi-curious.” At the camp, several teen boys kill themselves after feeling guilty and remorseful for being gay and Butters tries to convince his accountabilibuddy from killing himself.